Eccentric lottery winner brings chaos to Wallis Island!
Discover the film series at Capitol Altenburg: "The Ballad of Wallis Island" on September 14th. An eccentric lottery winner pursues his dream and brings up old conflicts. Shows every Tuesday and Sunday.

Eccentric lottery winner brings chaos to Wallis Island!
An exciting film event caused a stir in Altenburg. On September 14th, the tragicomedy will be shown in the historic “Capitol” cinema under the motto “The special film”.The Ballad of Wallis Islandlisted. This film series promises an interesting selection of ambitious films outside the mainstream and takes place regularly on Tuesdays and Sundays. Next Sunday's performance starts at 5:15 p.m. and lasts 100 minutes.
The film, directed by James Griffiths, tells the story of eccentric lottery winner Charles Heath, played by Tim Key. The audience is taken to the remote Wallis Island, where Charles has the dream of reactivating his former favorite band Mortimer-McGwyer. What is surprising is the fact that the band consists of his former lovers: Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer, played by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan. However, the planned reunion is quickly overshadowed by old conflicts and tensions, not least by the arrival of Nell's husband Michael.
A second coming of music
The plot offers an exciting mix of comedy and tragedy and addresses the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the power of music. Charles' venture to host a private concert for his former idols not only brings back nostalgic memories, but also reveals the challenges that come with it. In a world where music is considered a central expression of human emotions, it becomes clear that it is not only the talent that counts, but also the harmony between the actors. This realization is at the center of the story and is emotionally reinforced by the musical accompaniment.
Music is a part of life like icing on the cake. It influences our moods and can cause sadness, joy or fear even without real reasons. This element is also centrally anchored in the film music, which is considered the heartbeat of the stories told, such as Federal Agency for Civic Education explained. The filmThe Ballad of Wallis Islanduses this power creatively to make emotions more intense.
A celebration of emotions
The future of film is optimistic. After its successful theatrical release on July 10, 2025, the film played as the opening film at the Munich Film Festival and received an enthusiastic response from audiences and critics. It's notable how Carey Mulligan even sent a video message to celebrate the occasion. The themes of the film's history, led by the longing for bygone times and British humor, give hope for a broad audience.
Anyone who would like to attend the film screening in Altenburg can find it here Altenburger Land further information about the series, which focuses on ambitious and special films. With so much music and emotion, one can only hope that the magic of cinema will captivate viewers.